France Steps Up Mali Strikes

France on Sunday hit northern strongholds of Islamist rebels in Mali, intensifying its military push into the West African nation as neighboring countries rushed to deploy troops to fight groups allied with al Qaeda.

Fighter jets from France, which engaged its troops on Friday in response to an urgent appeal from Mali President Dioncounda Traoré, attacked targets deep in northern territories controlled by Islamist groups, notably the large city of Gao near the front. The French also targeted sites along the border with...